Enclosure for radiators



March 1934- J. F. MCINTIRE 1,952,327

ENCLOSURE FOR RADIATORS Filed May 11, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 7 e ames vcjnf/ke ATTORNEYS March 27, 1934. J. F. MCINTIRE 1,952,327

ENCLOSURE FOR RADIATORS W ATTORNEYS March 27, 1934. J. F. MOINTIRE 1,952,327

ENCLOSURE FOR RADIATORS Filed May 11, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l I l l Patented Mar. 27, 1934 U vrrso STATES PATENT QFFICE ENCLOSURE FGR EADIATQBL Application May 11, i931, Serial No. 536,586

8 Claims.

This invention relates to enclosures and refers more particularly to enclosures for concealing heating radiators and the like.

One of the primary objects of this invention 5 is to provide an enclosure of the above mentioned character which will include a front concealing panel and which will also include means providing for the proper positioning of said panel regardless of the faulty positioning of the structure with which the panel is associated.

The invention further provides an enclosure of the above mentioned character which includes a front concealing panel which is adjustable relative to its support.

A further object of this invention is to provide an enclosure of the above mentioned char acter having means for retarding the discharge of dirt, soot and the like from within the enclosure.

The invention still further contemplates the provision of enclosures of the above mentioned character which will include liner boxes which may be nested for the purpose of shipment and the provision of improved means for supporting the enclosures in position to enclose radiators and the like.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds, particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an enclosure constructed in accordance with the teachings 01 this invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the structure shown in Fig. 1 taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the structure forming the enclosure;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a slightly modified form of construction;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a further modification of the inventive idea;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing a further modified form of invention; and

Fig. 11 is afragmentary sectional view taken on 55 the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

in the modern construction of buildings it is customary, in order to conserve space, to mount the heating radiators in recesses in the walls of the rooms. These recesses are frequently formed the window sills and are then closed by which are flush with the walls of the rooms. If it is not desired to mount the radiators in recesses in this manner, it is frequently customary to cover the exposed radiators with shields or housings. The present invention contemplates an improved panel construction for closing the fronts of the recesses when the radiators are mounted in such recesses and contemplates further, the provision of an improved means for supporting the enclosing housings when the radiators are not mounted in recesses.

Referring then particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, the numeral l5 designates the wall of a room. Flush 75 with this wall and closing the front of a recess 16 therein is a panel 17. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the recess 16 and panel 17 are preferably located below the sill 18 of a window designated generally by the reference character 19.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the recess 15 is preferably lined with suitable insulating material designated by the reference character 20. Mounted in the recess is a metal liner box 21. This liner box is provided with the vertical rear wall 22, the outwardly flaring side walls 23 and the upwardly flaring top wall 24. The rear and side walls terminate at their lower edges in horizontal flanges 25, and suitable gussets 26 are preferably formed in the angle between these flanges to reinforce the liner box, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The side walls terminate at their free edges in laterally bent flanges 27, while the top wall 95 terminates at its free edge in a return bent lip or flange portion which provides a downwardly opening groove or recess designated by the reference character 29. The lip portion 28 may be either integral with the top wall 24 of the liner box or may constitute a separate strip 30 fixed to the free edge of the liner box, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 or" the drawings.

The liner box is preferably positioned within the recess during the construction of the building and before the finish flooring 35 is laid. Thus the bottom flange 25 of the liner box may rest direct- 1y on the rough. flooring 36 adjacent the rear edge of the recess 16. Suitable nailing strips 37 are fixed at spaced points to the uprights 38 within the wall of the room and these nailing strips have angle flanges 39 which are bolted to the sides of the liner boxes as at 40. It will be noted that when the liner box is positioned in the recess, the side flanges 7 and top lip or lange 28 are substantially fiush with the wall 15 of the room.

For closing the front of the liner box to conceal the radiator 41 within the recess 16, the panel 1"! is provided. This panel is provided with the grill openings 42 adjacent its upper edge and is fixed at its lower edge as by screws or the like 43 to a baseboard 44. This baseboard is provided with a suitable opening 45 through which air may enter the recess to flow upwardly past the radiator and out through the grill openings, and this baseboard is flush with the baseboard 46 of the room when the panel is in position to close the recess as will be described.

The upper longitudinal edge of the panel 17 is adapted to be received in the recess 29 when the panel is in position to close the recess 15. This edge of the panel is provided with spaced protuberances 4"] adapted to engage the inner face 48 of the outer wall 49 of the groove 29, and these protuberances function to resiliently hold the upper edge of the panel against the rear wall of the groove, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. These protubcrances fucther constitute pivots about which the panel may pivotally swing when it is desired to remove the panel from its closing position, it being understood that in removing the panel, the lower edge of the same is moved forwardly and downwardly to draw the upper edge thereof out of the groove 29.

If desired, a suitable reinforcing member 50 may be fixed to the inner face of the panel and extend longitudinally of the same, as will be readily apparent by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings. It will be noted that the lip 28 on the liner box constitutes a border for the top of the panel and that the panel is provided along its vertical marginal edges with raised portions 51 which constitute borders complementary to the border formed by the lip 28. Suitable corner housings 51' are preferably carried by the ends of the lip 23 to conceal the joints between the ends of this lip and the ends of the borders 51.

For firmly holding the border portions of the panel in juxtaposition to the flanges 27 of the liner box, each flange 27 is preferably provided adjacent its lower end with a vertically elongated slot 52. Each border 51 is provided with an ap erture 53 for receiving a screw 54 which may be screwed through the slot 52 and into the wall, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

From the above it will be apparent that the invention as thus far described provides a liner box adapted to be mounted in a recess in the wall of a room. This liner box may be installed in the recess during construction of the building and may rest upon the rough wood door of the room. For closing the front of the liner box, the decorative anel 1'? is provided, and this panel is adjustably retained in the groove 29 formed adjacent the upper outer edge of the liner box. It thus becomes unnecessary in mounting the liner box in the recess to accurately position this liner box with reference to the horizontal and vertical lines of the room since the panel is supported on the finished flooring 35 of the room and is thus accurately positioned with reference to the vertical and horizontal lines of the room.

The fact that the upper edge of the panel is adjustably received in the groove 29 permits the panel to assume any desired position with respect to the liner box with the result that even if the liner box is not accurately positioned in the recess, the panel will still assume its proper position. Further, the panel may assume different positions vertically to adapt itself to the thickness of the finish flooring 35. The slots 52 in the flanges 27 provide for the threading of the screws 54 through these flanges regardless of the vertical position of the panel with respect to the liner box. It might be noted further that the sharp bend formed by the lip 28 of the liner box and the fact that the upper edge of the panel is pressed against the rear wall of the groove 29, retards the discharge of dirt, soot and the like from the top of the recess 16 with the result that the wall of the room above the radiator will not become soiled. It is preferable to provide a suitable shutter or the like 55 operable by a knob or the like 56 for closing the grill openings in the top of the panel, as will be readily appparent.

In Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings a slightly modified form of construction is disclosed to provide a greater recess depth in which wider radiator units 41 may be positioned. In this form of construction the liner box 21 projects outwardly eyond the recess 16 and thus beyond the wall 15 of the room. As in the first described form of construction, the liner box is held in place by a nailing strip 3% which is nailed to the upright 38 and which is bolted as at 40 to the liner box. For enclosing the space between the wall 15 and the projecting portion of the liner box, a suitable extension strip 60 is provided. This extension strip is provided at its one end with a laterally bent flange 61 adapted to be secured to the upright 38 as by the screw or the like 62. At its outer free edge the extension strip is provided with the laterally bent flange 63, and welded or otherwise fixed to this flange at spaced points throughout the length thereof are angle plates 64. These angle plates are bolted as at 65 to the liner box adjacent the flanges 2'7 thereof, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The borders 51 of the panel l7 seat upon the flanges 2'7 of the liner box and the flanges 63 of the extension members and are held in juxtaposition to these flanges by screws 66 which engage elongated slots 67 formed in the flanges 27 and in the angle plates 64. Thus the panel 17 is vertically adjustable with ref erence to the liner box and the extension strips and may thus adapt itself to the proper position regardless of the position of the liner box.

It is sometimes desirable to mount the radiators in recesses in the walls without, however, utilizing liner boxes within the recesses. Such a construction is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. By reference to these figures it will be noted that the recess 16 is provided for receiving the radiator 41 There is no liner box within this recess, but the front of the recess is closed by a panel 1'7 similar to the panel 17. For adjustably retaining the upper edge of this panel in position, there is provided a metal strip '70 nailed or otherwise secured as at '71 to the supporting structure '72 of the window 19". strip '70 is provided at its outer edge with a lip portion 73 which provides a groove 74 corresponding to the groove 29. The protuberances 47* formed on the upper edge of the panel engage the rear face of the front wall of this groove to The hold the upper edge of the panel in position in the manner previously described.

For holding the border portions 51 of the front panel in juxtaposition to the portions of the Wall 15' surrounding the recess it, suitable Wooden liner strips are provided and screws 76 may be threaded through the border portions of the panel and into these liner strips, as will be readily apparent. As in the first described form of construction it will be apparent that the panel 17' will be flush with the wall of the room and will enclose the recess 16 and conceal the radiator positioned in this recess.

If it is desired to increase the depth of the recess without utilizing a liner box, the structure shown in Figs. 10 and 11 may be provided. By reference to these figures, it will be noted that the depth of the recess 16 is increased by extension strips 80. One of these extension strips is located at each side of the recess and each extension strip is provided along its rear edge with a laterally bent flange 81 adapted to be secured as at 8.. to the upright 38. At its outer edge each extension strip is provided with a laterally ex tending flange 83, and welded at spaced points to this flange are plates 84:. The border portions 51 of the panel 17 engage the 83 and are adjustably held in engaging position by screws 85 which threadedly engage slots 86 formed in the plates 84. It will thus be apparent that the panel 17 is secured in position to close the front of the opening 16 and is secured to the plates 84 for vertical adjustment with reference to these plates and thus with reference to the extension strips 80. In each of the constructions described wherein the liner boxes or the extension strips project beyond the wall of the room, it will be understood that the outer surfaces of the extension strips may be decorated in any suitable manner to correspond to the adjacent walls of the room.

From the above it will be apparent that the invention provides improved enclosure means for concealing radiators. If desired, the radiators i may be mounted in recesses in the walls of a room,

in which event panels are provided for closing the fronts of these recesses. These panels adapt themselves to the proper position thus simplifying to a great extent the proper installation of the j enclosures in a building.

It is to be noted that the liner boxes disclosed in several forms of the invention are provided with outwardly flaring top and side walls with the result that these liner boxes may be nested when it is desired to ship the same. The invention provides means for retarding the discharge of dirt, soot and the like from the enclosures and provides constructions by which the depth of the recess for receiving the radiator may be adapted to the width of the radiator to be mounted therein.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described with. some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and that the right is j reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A radiator enclosure comprising a metallic liner box to be positioned in a recess in a wall and to project outwardly from such recess beyond the plane of such wall, an extension strip having one end attachable to such wall and its other end connected to said liner box adjacent the outer vertical edge thereof, and a panel for closing the front of said liner box, said panel having a portion engaging a portion of said extension strip.

2. A radiator enclosure comprising a metallic strip fashioned to be anchored in a recess in a wall adjacent the upper front edge of the recess, said metallic strip having a return bent portion providing a downwardly opening groove which is adapted to be substantially flush with the wall, and a panel for closing the recess in the wall, said panel having its upper free edge portion adjustably mounted in said groove.

3. A radiator enclosure comprising a metallic member for use in a radiator recess in a wall, having a body portion for projecting outwardly from such wall adjacent one side of such recess, said metallic member being provided at its inner edge with a laterally extending flange to be substantially parallel with the wall and to be secured thereto and being provided at its outer free edge with a laterally extending flange to be substantially parallel to the said wall but to be spaced therefrom, a plate member secured to the flange on the outer free edge of said metallic member, said plate member being provided with a vertical- 1y extending slot, a panel for closing the front of such recess, said panel having a border portion engageable with the flange on the outer free edge of said metallic member, and a securing member passing through an opening in the border portion of said panel and engageable in the slot in said plate member.

4. A radiator enclosure comprising a metallic liner box designed to be positioned in a recess in a wall and to project outwardly from the same beyond the plane of said wall, members attachable to said wall and to said liner box for holding said liner box within said recess, a metallic ex-- tension strip having a body portion to project outwardly from said wall to substantially the plane of the outer free edge portion of said liner box, plate members secured. to said extension strip and to the said liner box adjacent the outer edge of the same, one of said plate members being provided with a vertically extending slot, a panel for closing the front of said recess, said panel having a border portion adjacent said plate-like member, and a securing member engageable in an opening in the border of said panel and in the slot in said plate member.

5. A radiator enclosure comprising spaced members for use in a recess in a Wall, said members having vertically extending flange portions for use adjacent opposite sides of such recess, each flange portion being provided with a vertically extending slot, and a panel for closing such recess, said panel having border portions provided with apertures that are registrable with the slots in said flanges in various positions of vertical adjustment of said panel relative to said flanges, and securing means for panel engaging the registering apertures and slots.

6. An enclosure for a radiator having fixed back, top and side walls and a removable front panel, the side walls being provided at their forward edges with lateral flanges constituting backers for said front panel, the top wall being provided at its forward edge with a return-bent flange that forms a downwardly opening channel and receives the upper edge of the front panel, the sides of said channel being substantially parallel, the thickness of the panel being slightly less than the width of the channel, a protuberance on the panel so arranged as to press against one wall of the groove and urge the panel against the other Wall of the groove.

7. A radiator enclosure comprising a member designed to be positioned in a radiator recess in a wall and having a return bent portion to provide a downwardly opening groove adjacent the upper front edge of such recess, a panel for closing the front of such recess having its upper edge positioned in said downwardly opening groove, the thickness of the panel being slightly less than the Width of the groove, a protuberance on the panel so arranged as to press against one wall of the groove and urge the panel against the other wall of the groove.

8. A radiator enclosure comprising a metallic member for use in a radiator recess in a wall, having a return bent portion to provide a downwardly opening groove at the upper front edge of said recess and to be substantially flush with the wall, a panel for closing the front of such recess,

said-panel having its upper edge positioned in 

